Barleymans Road sign (2021). Brian Beer. Word on the Street image collection.
Barleymans Road sign (2021). Brian Beer. Word on the Street image collection.
Barleymans Road, inland from Midhirst, was named after a prominent family who lived in the area.
Edward George Barleyman, born in Blenheim, began his working life as a surveyor. We don’t know what prompted him to move north to Taranaki, however, after marrying Atarah Cole, he became a farmer in the south Taranaki area. In 1919, the couple bought 40 hectares on Croydon Road in the Wharehuia district, east of Midhirst.
They raised three children there, and the two boys would continue to manage the farm with their mother when Edward died in 1926.
Local farmers in the district often noticed that the Barleyman’s farm had very little ragwort weed growing on it. Some of them started asking questions and, scarcely believing the reason why, wanted proof.
Bread was put under some of the plants. The farm dogs, wanting to eat it, would dig it up. The dogs would then dig up any other ragwort on the farm, hoping to find more bread to eat.
Edward Barleyman was a long-time member of the Stratford A&P Society. The family were also very prominent supporters of social events in the Wharehuia area. They always provided their portable coppers for functions, usually making the tea and boiling potatoes.
In the late 1970s, there were some road realignments in the area. The road the Barleyman’s farm was on was renamed from the intersection with Cross Road. Locals regarded it as a fitting tribute to the family.
Atarah Barleyman died in 1949. Her and husband Edward are buried in Kopuatama Cemetery.
This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.
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